Eight persons died, while an Army soldier was injured in a series of violent incidents and vehicular accidents on December 31 and January 1, in Negros Occidental, police records yesterday showed.

A pedestrian identified as Erlo Mahinay was declared dead on arrival at the Vicente Gustilo Memorial District Hospital, after he was bumped by a motorcycle driven by Hilbert Lomocso on December 31 in Brgy. Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Lomocso, who is now being treated for his injuries at a hospital, was reported to have been under the influence of liquor, when the accident took place, the police said.

A woman identified as Vilma Pondales, 64, also died, after she was hacked twice with a cane cutter allegedly by Richard de la Cruz also on December 31 in Brgy. Tabu, Ilog, Negros Occidental.

Jolito Sidlao, 41, succumbed to multiple injuries and died, after he was stabbed allegedly by Arnel Mahinay also on December 31 in Brgy. Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental.

The next day, Gabriel Balore, 55, who was suffering from cancer, shot himself dead in Brgy. Zone 11, Talisay City.

Balore, who used a homemade shotgun in shooting himself, died on the spot, the police said.

Recovered from the scene were a homemade shotgun and two unfired cartridges of a 12 gauge shotgun.

The New Year’s eve celebration of a family in Sitio Pandan, Brgy. Mahalang, Himamaylan City, also turned into tragedy, with the death of one of its members and the injuries of two others.

Johnny Tobio, who was armed with a bolo, hacked his nephew, Jared Tobio, without any provocation.

Jared, 20, who was hit in the back, managed to escape, and got a bolo from the house of Adelaida Tobio.

Johnny, 40, was hacked several times by his nephew, and was declared dead on arrival at the Himamaylan District Hospital, the police said.

Robert Arino, 26, was also declared dead on arrival at the Cadiz District Hospital on January 1 after he was struck on the head with a bamboo pole by his elder brother, Mario, in Brgy. Punta Salong, Manapla.

On the same day, Randy Amayna, 62, also died, when the motorcycle he was driving figured in an accident at the Reclamation Area in Brgy. Tinampa-an, Cadiz City, also on January 1, the police said.

The police also reported that a certain Ronnie Gonzales, 27, succumbed to multiple stab wounds, after he and his companion, Hangie Gonzales, were both stabbed by a certain Rigor also on January 1 in Brgy. Baga-as, Hinigaran, police also said.

Gonzales was declared dead on arrival at the Hinigaran Emergency Clinic, according to a report of the Hinigaran police.

Meanwhile, Army Pvt. Junrel Villan, 24, suffered injuries in his left knee, after he was hacked yesterday allegedly by Leo Avelino in Purok Arceo, Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia town.

Villan, a member of the 11th Infantry Battalion deployed in Zamboanga del Sur, is now being treated for his injury at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, while the suspect is now in jail.*